Waveguide switch



March 10, 1959 G. J. WHEELER ETAL 2,877,425

WAVEGUIDE SWITCH Filed Dec. 16, 1955 JNVENTOR. Y ifffk/an/Aff/VEELEI?United States Patent 2,877,425 .WAYEGUIDE SWITCH Application December16, 1955, Serial No. 553,669

1 Claim. (Cl. 333-7) The present invention relates to a novel andimproved switching device for waveguide radiation apparatus and moreparticularly to a novel and improved waveguide switch which isrelatively simple in construction and yet reliable and effective inoperation.

In the transmission of high frequency energy through waveguide systems,it often becomes necessary and desirable to direct the energy from agiven source through one or another of a series of output circuits.Thus, for example, where it is desired to use a common antenna array forthe receiving and the transmitting circuits of high frequency electronicgear, the antenna circuit must be adapted for selective connection withthe transmitter or the receiver. Since waveguides are often used tocouple the antenna with the transmitter and receiver equipment, the needfor a suitable waveguide switch arose. Although various types ofwaveguide switches have been used in the past, considerable difiicultyhas been experienced heretofore in devising a switch of this type whichis reliable and dependable in operation.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved waveguide switch that may be used to selectively feed orreceive energy from one waveguide into either of a pair of waveguideoutput or energy drive circuits.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved waveguide switch having no measurable attenuation and nomeasurable leakage into the disconnected output circuit.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view partly in section of the embodimentshown in Figire 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the switch block of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a preferred schematic wiring diagram of the electric motorof Figures 1 and 2. I

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFigures 1 to 4 of the drawing. As shown therein, the electric motor orthe like 3 is mounted on and secured to the inverted T-shaped framemember 4 in any suitable conventional manner. The shaft 5 which rotateswith the armature of the motor 3 extends through the aperture 6 in theupright portion 4a of the frame and is preferably supported therein bythe bearing members or the like 7. The eliptical shaped cam element 8 ismounted adjacent the outer extremity of the shaft 5 and is coupled bymeans of the crank pin 9 and the connecting lever 10 to the verticallymovable rod 11 and the switch block assembly'12. The oppositelydeflected leaf-type spring members 13 and 14 which are secured to theend of rod 11 cooperate with the U-shaped lugs n 2,877,425 Patented Mar.10, 1959 15 that project downwardly from the switchblock 16 to provide aspring loaded type of interconnection in a manner which will be moreapparent hereinafter. As will also be more apparent hereinafter, thelimit switch mechanism 17 secured to support member 4 provides automaticdeenergization of motor 3 when full operation of the switch into itsnewly selected position is completed.

The receptacle or housing 18 to which the various waveguides 19, 2t and21 are connected is secured in any suitable conventional mannerpreferably adjacent the upper extremity of the support member 4. Theswitch block 16 through which the straight rectangular waveguidecoupling section 16a and the curvilinear coupling section 16b extend isadapted to move vertically in the opening 22 through the housing 18between predetermined switch terminal positions. In this way as will bemore apparent hereinafter the straight and curvilinear coupling sections16a and 16b are adapted to register properly with the openings in thehousing 18 at the junction of waveguides 19, 20 and 21 therewith. Thebearing plate 23 is preferably spaced from the lower surface of thehousing 18 by the stove bolts or the like 24 and as will be moreapparent hereinafter provides a journal for the vertical reciprocalmovement of rod 11 therein. The stop members 25 disposed on the uppersurface of the housing 18 and the pad elements 26 on the U-shaped lugs15 allow proper alignment of the straight and curvilinear couplingsections of the switch block 16 with the adjacent waveguides 19, 20 and21 when the switch occupies either of its terminal positions.

In operation, when the switch block assembly 12 oc cupies the positionshown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, energy from any suitable energysource coupled to waveguide 19 is delivered therefrom through thecurvilinear coupling section 16b of the switch block assembly to thewaveguide 20 and to the output circuit to which waveguide 20 may becoupled. When it is desired to feed energy from waveguide 19 to theoutput circuit coupled to waveguide 21 through the straight couplingsection 16a of the switch block, the motor 3 is energized by anysuitable conventional starting switch mechanism. As the armature ofmotor 3 turns over, the cam 8 is rotated from point 8a on its peripherydegrees to point 8b and the rod 11 and the switch block assembly 12 iselevated to its uppermost position where the switch block is springbiased against the stop elements 25 by the leaf spring element 14. Inthis position the straight coupling section of the switch blockelectrically interconnects waveguide 19 with waveguide 21.

As is best shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, once the starting switch 27for the motor 3 is activated and the eliptical-shaped cam 8 allows thecontacts of switch 28 to close, the motor 3 remains energized until thecam rotates a half revolution and switch 28 is again opened. In this waythe motor 3 is automatically deenergized when the waveguide switch hasbeen fully operated to either of its terminal positions.

It is to be understood that although the waveguide switch of the presentinvention has been disclosed and described as a device for selectivelydirecting energy from a given energy source to either of a pair ofwaveguide output circuits, a waveguide switch having two or morecoupling sections in its switch block could be used to selectivelyinterconnect a plurality of electrical circuits in any suitable way suchas by coupling a pair or more of energy sources to a given outputcircuit without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentinvention.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claim the invention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

Apparatus for selectively coupling a first waveguide with either asecond or a third Waveguide comprising a housing having a cavity towhich each of the said waveguides is coupled; a switch block which isslideably adjustable in a vertical plane within the cavity and which hasa straight waveguide section and a curvilinear waveguide section thatextend through the switch block; an electric motor; and means responsiveto energization of the motor for causing movement of the Switch blockbetween a first terminal position where the straight waveguide sectioncompletes a circuit between the first and second waveguides and a secondterminal position where its curvilinear waveguide completes a circuitbetween the first and third waveguides; means including leaf springelements to allow proper alignment of the straight and curvilinearcoupling sections of the switch block with the adjacent Waveguides whenthe switch block occupies either of its terminal positions; and limitswitch means for automatically deenergizing the motor when movement ofthe switch block into either its first or its second position iscompleted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,555,025 Cheek May 29, 1951 2,556,869 Charles June 12, 1951 2,759,152Charles Aug. 14, 1956 FOREIGNv PATENTS 730,219 Great Britain May 18,1955

